Page 184 of Beast and Remedy
Damn this fucking color haunting me.
Beau lowers his voice. “Vi, you need to hide.Now.”
But I can’t find the will to move. I shake my head, a gargling scream climbing up my throat as panic seizes me.
“Wait, don’t move,” Marian whispers.
“Are youcrazy?” Beau hisses.
“Use her to lure the wolf out,” she rushes. “It’s why we came out here in the first place.”
A jostle comes from our left, each of us halting.
Beau twists to me. “One chance.”
I nod, hating the sense of humor the Makers have. Answering my prayers is one thing but them abandoning us, leaving us unprepared, makes me bitter.
Leaves crunch underneath paws. More distinct. More intentional. More lethal.
My heart thunders as I pat my pack, the two vials clanking before I unsheathe my dagger.
It’s now or never, Vi.
My eyes trail Marian. A fierceness blazes in her stare, her hunting instincts kicking in.
“Love you,” I murmur before steeling my posture and finding Beau.
I take a gamble and nod twice, wishing my voice could carry my love to him, too.
I’ll protect you, he mouths, bobbing his head twice and stealing my breath.
The closest bush to me rustles, and I freeze.
A lone wolf prowls forward, panting heavily, foam seeping from its snout.
Definitely hungry.
And with how close we are to Belmur—high probability it’s infected too.
My knees wobble, wishing I wasn’t so exhausted.
I reach for my magic again.Nothing.
The terror of its absence immobilizes me.
How am I supposed to protect my loved ones if I can’t shift?
The predator bares its teeth and lowers into a pouncing position. It snarls, snapping at me.
An arrow launches, swishing my hair in the air as it embeds itself in the beast’s shoulder.
It whimpers, faltering, and another arrow strikes its side. The animal struggles, blood seeping from its injuries.
Bile rises in my throat, and I swallow. But its visible and audible pain isunbearable. The wolf’s agonized howl cleaves through me, and I shudder as the creature collapses.
Beau and Marian sprint to my side as I gag.
Covering my mouth, I turn away, heaving and struggling to breathe. The smell of blood stings my senses and convulses, trying to fight the nausea and losing the battle.
